Lake stink: Christine Hanson, environmental resource specialist, Orange County Watershed Program, said the mysterious stink wafting from Barber’s Lake is nothing to worry about and perfectly natural in a drought year. “Fall Lake Turnover” occurs when decaying matter at the bottom of the lake is riled up because of changing temperatures in the fall. She said the unusually strong smell this year resulted from the low water levels in the lake due to the drought. When the process of temperature uniformity ends, the smell will go with it.

Medical marijuana: In 30 days, medical marijuana dispensaries will be OK to open in Laguna Woods. At the Laguna Woods City Council meeting Sept. 17, an ordinance passed allowing the dispensaries. The ordinance establishes strict regulations for the dispensaries which would only be allowed to sell to Laguna Woods residents. The meeting was the first televised with closed captions. For further information about the dispensaries, contact city hall, 949-639-0500.

More on Candidate forum replays: Residents of Laguna Woods Village will be able to view replays of both Monday’s Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce forum and the Cox Communications resident forum which will be taped Sept. 29 on Channel 31. The Chamber Forum will be replayed at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 26, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30, 8 p.m. Oct. 13, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and 8 p.m. Oct. 28. Non-Village residents who receive Cox TV digital coverage will be able to see the Cox Forum “On Demand” at any time on Channel 1.

Greening: The City’s blue ribbon committee, Greening of the Woods, just released its draft document. The public has until Oct. 15 to comment. Call city hall to view the draft. Send comments to lkeane@lagunawoodscity.org or mail to City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road.

CERT training: Laguna Woods will host a Community Emergency Response Team training academy Sept. 27 to Oct. 18 to train volunteers to take charge in a disaster. The course will run four Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call Chris Macon for details, 949-639-0555.

Don’t forget to return survey: The City of Laguna Woods with funding from the Orange County Transportation Authority sent out a survey to 10 percent of city residents to identify mobility needs. The survey must be returned by Sept. 30.

A dozen people showed up for the morning workshop and suggested the City and other transportation agencies make it easier for residents to travel to CVS, the 99 Cents Store, Towne Center in Aliso Viejo, the Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles International Airport, San Pedro, Griffith and Balboa Parks, the Great Park and Spectrum Center. They also supported the idea of Metrolink “free” travel days and a newsletter telling how to get to great locations and what people will find there.

They also advocated making it easier to pre purchase Metrolink tickets, telling how commuters can get from Metrolink stations to OCTA buses and vice versa, and providing assistance to disabled individuals getting on and off the Metrolink trains.

The city plans to get additional feedback from residents by asking customers at local grocery stores questions about their rail travel.

Change in meeting date: Note that the next Laguna Woods Community Services meeting will be Oct. 22; the Sept. 24 meeting was cancelled.

Laguna Woods Village

Meeting time changed: The meeting date for GRF finance has been changed to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 29 in the Community Center Birch Room.

Petition drive: Earthworks is starting a petition drive to request the Laguna Woods Village boards and staff to work with residents to get recycle bins near manors and to include the improved recycling opportunities in contract negotiations with Ware Disposal in 2010.

Earthworks points out that at one time Ware had stated that the bins could be provided at no additional cost. The club argued that since separated and uncontaminated recyclables are more desirable and lucrative, Ware should stick to its original statement.

Anyone interested in signing or soliciting signatures on a petition, can contact Jim Davis, Earthworks president, by mail at 195-H Majorca, Laguna Woods, 92637; by phone at 949-462-9316; or by email at jimdavis@comline.com.

Another replay: United’s “Meet the Candidates” meeting will be replayed on Channel 6 at 2 pm today, Sept. 25.

Survey: The Golden Rain Foundation has chosen a new firm to do a customer satisfaction survey: Zogby International. GRF Government and Public Relations Chairwoman Ruth May will be the firm’s contact person. A special meeting of May’s committee will be held at a time and date to be announced later this month to discuss the survey which is expected to go out and be returned by mid-November.

South County Outreach: Residents of Laguna Woods can STILL help refill the coffers at South County Outreach by bringing their canned goods to the office of the Laguna Woods Globe. Look for the blue bin. In two weeks, residents have contributed nearly 1,000 pounds of canned, bottled and dry goods.

United board cleans up: The United Mutual board will hold a special meeting at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30 in the Community Center Board Room to clean up business, in particular, to vote on a variety of resolutions that have been tabled for 30 days for member comments.

Mutual 50 Sunday Brunch: Every third Sunday of the month, Mutual 50 will host a Sunday Brunch for $15 that will include beverage, tax, tip, salad and omelet bars, carving station and dessert. Brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call Chris Dibley for details at 949-597-4228. Reservations are a must, though. To RSVP, call 949-597-4278. First brunch is Oct. 19.

Award nominee/winner: Arts Orange County has notified Laguna Woods Village resident Suki Berg that she has been nominated for one of its 2008 Annual Achievement Awards for outstanding work June 2007 to May 2008.

Also Laguna Woods resident Fritzi Goldberg just got word that she’s received the Silver President’s Volunteer Service Award. The latter signifies that she’s donated more than 100 volunteer hours in community service this year as a literacy tutor for READ/Orange County that helps adults read and write better.

All residents

Veterans benefits: The Laguna Woods Village Community Civic Association is hosting a program that will outline the latest in veterans benefits from 1:15 to 3:30 p.m. TODAY in Clubhouse 5. The program is co sponsored by the Veterans Administration and American Legion Post 257. For further information, contact dennywelch@aol.com. Replays of the meeting on Channel 6 are 2 p.m. Sept. 30, 2 p.m. Oct. 14 and 8 p.m. Oct. 23.

Scam alert: Marilyn Ditty, CEO of South County Senior Services, warns that there is an “illegal” solicitation going out to residents that says to send money to “The Senior Center” at P.O. Box 96484, Washington, D.C. 20090-6484. The solicitation is not from SCSS. Ditty says SCSS is reporting the incident to the Postmaster.

Also, SCSS will host its 19th Annual Seniors Prom at 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman. Florence Henderson is the special celebrity guest. Also on the program is dancing to Johnny Vana’s Big Band Alumni band, a buffet, raffle prizes, the naming of a King and Queen and more. Tickets are $35 per person in advance and $40 at the door. Parking is extra but free bus transportation will be available from SCSS senior centers. Call SCSS for ticket information: 949-855-8033.